Yesterday I stayed with Scott (Goggles Pizano) in Reno. Scott is part of the chase crew so we did some rough planning for the race.

Notice Scott's ironman trophy. Maybe I'll own one soon too.

We opened up a set of Woody's wheels and put them on my bike.

Scott then took me to a bunch of whoops to teach me how to skip the 990 off the top. I learned a lot, and got the hang of it for short spurts, but it's going to take a practice if I'm going to try to do that in the race. I felt bad for the suspension.

I went to 2.5 / 1.6 woodys wheels and the handling on the bike sure changed a lot from stock. Changing the rear from 4.0 to 2.5 rounds the tire profile and reduces the contact area on the ground which causes it to break traction a lot faster. It sure makes it fun though.

One the way back I started to notice that my bike started to starve for fuel at high rpms. We made it back just barely.
We assumed it was the fuel filter/pump, but I had to get going towards California so we didn't get a chance to look at it.

I had shipped some parts to my friend Cesars place in Willows. Cesar had just converted his 990 EFI to carbs so he asked if I wanted a spare harness.

Hey where does this part go.

I was planning on changing my fuel filter after prerunning so I had a filter kit ready. We took apart the fuel pump and sure enough it wasn't looking good.

No wonder this thing can't get fuel

I also received 2 sets of Dirt Tricks Ironman sprockets. ( the name is fitting for this race )
I'm going from 16/42 to 16/45 for the race.

As I was assembling the sprockets and new wheels Cesar noticed that I did not have the right spacer for the woody's hubs. The day before I reused my stock spacer as I thought that's what i was supposed to do because I didn't receive any other. After a bit of panic we contacted woody's who instantly overnighted the parts to my next stop, Super Plush Suspension. I'll pick them up tomorrow as my suspension is getting refreshed.

Some of this race prep is a bit last minute and Cesar was getting stressed out. He likes to plan things out but I roll a little different. My saying is, if you plan everything to perfection, adventure will never find you.

We put on my old wheels and went out for a ride. The 45 rear and a new filters in the fuel pump made the bike come alive. We spent the afternoon comparing the 2 bikes and I must say that on a drag, Cesar's 990 carb'ed conversion kicked my 990's ass.

I dropped by Baja Designs this morning to pick up one light but Tex made me rip off my rigids and set me up with something more. We rolled the 990 into the shop and ended up with this.
OnX long range optics, and 2 spot squadrons with cornering lenses.

Day before I was in the bay area James at SPS freshened up my suspension

Also picked up my new seat from Renazco. It's soft and smooth like a virgin rhinoceros' bottom.

Arrived at Kiki's in San Felipe today. In San Felipe I met a buddy mine from back home who just happens to be riding his 990 down to south america. Tomorrow we will prerun from borgo to puertecitos or until he says uncle.
After that work out some kinks on the bike and then starting Monday or Tuesday I'll start preriding to La Paz.

Btw I really dig the new Tijuana border crossing. The visa and bank are both in a new building in the inspection area which makes it easy to get them together. I also asked about the hours of operation and both the visa and bank are open 24/7.

Radek say hi to Kiki for me! good luck with your solo attempt. Just thinking out loud here, as i was there when you and Andrew blew up the 540,just after it was built in 2008. did you ever find the cause of that failure? I'm by no means an engine pro,but a 12.5/1 piston is pretty aggressive compression wise, and whether or not the pemex gas is as sketchy as some people say, why don't you find some octane boost in san felipe before you leave. pack enough with you to keep that brand new mill happy as you pre ride to La Paz. El Murr and the rest of the kamloops/coast- PLUS FIDDY TEAM should be at Kiki's by today. Good luck,good speed and ride safe big fella!!! CactusReid

__________________'07 KTM Adv990S - Gone, to a good home , '12 KTM 990Adv, '10 KTM 530Exc-RallyNo myriad hues of laser lights, no bottles that are oozing with nectars from heaven, No beautiful body soft and warm to the touch but, i have a very small desire, Give me a dark....long....winding road, three gears to go and my Hellas on fire !!

Bloody hell, that might as well be Mars. Give me mud, give me (deciduous) trees, give me rivers. I went to Moab and my mind was just blown. Everything looked the damn same.

I'd love to say that I had the cajones to do the Baja 1000 on my Adventure but being honest, I think that being out in the middle of nowhere, where there is no sound and no movement, would utterly freak me out and cause me to run away.

And you're going to do it at night.

Hmm...

Good luck.

__________________Those who dance are considered crazy by those who do not hear the music.I am not the same having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world. - Radmacher